Centre Approves ₹2,039 Crore Road Infrastructure Projects Across Kerala, Including ₹1,663 Crore Kollam-Theni Highway Section
The Central government has approved road infrastructure projects worth an estimated ₹2,039 crore in Kerala. Kerala Public Works Department (PWD) Minister P K Basheer announced the approvals following a meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi. The sanctioned works include highway widening, bridge construction, and upgrades to multiple national highways, along with in-principle approval for several additional road infrastructure proposals across the state.
Among the approved projects is a bridge across the Kabani River connecting Perikallur in Wayanad district with Bairakuppa in Karnataka, carrying an investment of ₹49 crore. The Centre has also sanctioned ₹98.40 crore for works on National Highway 744, and ₹172 crore for the National Highway 966 stretch from Ramanattukara to Chandragiri in Palakkad. A further ₹66 crore has been allocated for the old National Highway 66 stretch from Kazhakkoottam to Balaramapuram.
The largest single allocation is ₹1,663 crore for four-laning of the Kadavoor-Anjilimoodu section of the Kollam-Theni National Highway. The Centre has additionally granted in-principle approval for ropeway projects at Sabarimala, Munnar, and Wayanad. Separately, NHAI officials have been tasked with preparing and submitting the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a proposed elevated highway connecting Aroor to Kozhikode Airport.
The approved works are expected to strengthen highway connectivity across Kerala, improve links between key districts, and enhance cross-border connectivity with Karnataka. The bridge, widening works, ropeways and elevated corridor are intended to support the broader development of the state's transport infrastructure.